Super Eagles seek early Afcon qualification
Nigeria are one victory away from qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, as the Super Eagles prepare to take on Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on Sunday evening.
Kick-off is at 6:00pm (SA, GMT+2)
As Group A reaches its conclusion, the Super Eagles could secure their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a victory over Sierra Leone.
Nigeria are currently in second spot on the table, four points ahead of their next opponents who are in third place. Table toppers Guinea-Bissau will confirm a place in their fourth successive Afcon, should Sierra Leone fail to beat Nigeria this weekend.
Sierra Leone go into the game against Nigeria on the back of a 2-0 win against Sao Tome e Principe in their latest Afcon qualifier. Overall, the Leone Stars recorded just one victory in their last five matches in all competitions, picking up three defeats and one draw during this period.
Sierra Leone coach Josh Keister is hoping his side can draw inspiration from their famous 1-0 victory against Nigeria in 2001 and mentioned that Sierra Leone cant show the Super Eagles too much respect.
“I remember in 2001, I was part of the Sierra Leone team that beat Nigeria 1-0 and this was when no one expected anything from us,” Keister said.
“I have that feeling again with this team going to Liberia to face Nigeria, despite the challenges we have with players suspended, several personal issues and injuries, that we can do it again.
“We can’t afford to show them too much respect and that is a fact in football. It is about how badly we want it and how much we can motivate the boys and trust them to go and perform.”
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Much like that of Sierra Leone, Nigeria have not been firing at all cylinders in their last five matches in all competitions. Prior to their 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in a Afcon qualifier earlier this year, the Super Eagles went on a six-match losing streak.
However, in their Afcon qualifier bid, Nigeria recorded three wins in four matches which included a mammoth 10-0 victory against Sao Tome e Principe in June last year.
With the Sierra Leone tie in mind, Nigeria star Kenneth Omeruo said that his side will not underestimate the Leone Stars and will approach the game with all seriousness.
“We are approaching the game with all seriousness,” the defender said.
“We know how important it is for us to qualify and better to do it with a game to spare, so that we can relax and plan for the future.
“Everyone knows what we have to do. We are here to train and to make sure we go there to win.”